Like other famous structures of similar dimensions, the 48-story Transamerica Pyramid, a revolutionary ‘70s modernist skyscraper and San Francisco icon, has a bit of history buried beneath its ground floor. [Photo: Nils Huenerfuerst/Unsplash] A recently unearthed time capsule, buried in 1974 and discovered during a recent round of renovations, offers a picture of San Francisco’s past. The site of the structure—then a parking lot—was initially part of the original shoreline of the city that reeked of historical significance, from the city’s growth as a shipping and banking capital. The capsule even contains a recipe for Pisco Punch, a cocktail that was invented at the nearby Bank Exchange Saloon, site of the city’s original stock exchange.  [Photo: courtesy SHVO] Part of an exhibit in the building lobby opening May 18, the time capsule’s contents are timeless: pictures of the building’s steel frame beginning to stretch skyward, or vintage news clippings and images of the city after its last ’60s flowering. But within the cylindrical steel capsule, which looks a bit like a large propane tank, there’s also a narrative about building in America, and how that’s radically changed in the last 50 years.  [Photo: courtesy SHVO] The battle over the permitting and construction of the Transamerica Pyramid in San Francisco from 1969 to 1972 offers a flashback to a different time in development, real estate, and construction. The tower was proposed and built in just three years, a sprint compared to the time it takes today to build a signature part of a city skyline. Construction alone for the One World Trade in New York City took eight years; the Comcast Tech Center in Philadelphia, which had issues with cracks in some of the steel frame, took five years; and the St. Regis in Chicago took four years. An analysis of high-rise buildings by Construction Physics found building speeds decreased significantly over the past century, in many cases extending the time it takes to finish by roughly 50%. [Photo: courtesy SHVO] Buildings are more complex and require more permitting today, including complicated environmental review processes. This time-consuming process of development has led to backlash against what opponents call stifling building regulations. It has also led to more engagement from architects around code reform issues including elevator rules and exit stairs, and the formation of the abundance agenda, a center-left push by pundits like Ezra Klein to get the nation building fast again.  “The pace of the approval and the construction here is unbelievable,” says developer Michael Shvo, who paid $650 million to acquire the Transamerica Pyramid in 2020, at the depths of the COVID office freeze.. “The ​​Mayor was very determined to get this thing approved, and Transamerica was very determined to get a building built, and with all the controversy, once they got the green light, they ran as fast as possible. They built it in two years, we couldn’t do that today.” [Photo: courtesy SHVO] A more humane debate Transamerica was then a massive business conglomerate with interests in banking, financial services, and insurance. According to former public relations staffer John Krizek, who worked for Transamerica during the pyramid’s construction and ultimately created the time capsule, the back-and-forth between protestors and developers at the time was more humane, more respectable, and more amusing.  The conversation around the Transamerica Pyramid was, at the time, a larger debate about images, architecture, and aesthetics. The tower was not just a unique shape, but would tower above the skyline. It was to be the city’s tallest building, and wouldn’t be surpassed until 2018’s Salesforce Tower.  [Photo: courtesy SHVO] Artists and community members protested the building for aesthetic reasons, and general distrust of large corporations. Posters passed around the city at the time proclaimed “San Francisco Gets the Shaft” or “Artists Against the Icicle.” The city’s then planning director called the pyramid, designed by architect William Pereira, “inhumane.”  [Photo: courtesy SHVO] During early street protests in front of the company’s office, Transamerica execs sent secretaries to bring ice tea to the protestors lining up outside. During another protest, Krizek and his colleagues printed up fake fortune cookies at a nearby Chinatown bakery, frantically stuffing messages like “Transamerica–Not a square outfit” or “People who protest pyramid seek Che-ops publicity.”  Krizek recalled that the company was determined to break ground in December 1969. The building plan was announced in January of that year, and there was a tax break worth approximately $750,000 expiring at the end of December. Since Krizek and his coworkers knew that as soon as the company was given approval to build, there would be an appeal, they planned to move fast and break ground before paperwork was filed. To head off any challenges, they staged a tractor and truck near the site and sent someone to pick up the approval during the midday lunch break; they were able to get a time-stamped photo of someone digging at site while those opposing the project saw their appeal delayed as staffer enjoyed their lunch. “The emotions around this building, I’ve never seen this for any other building in the world,” says Shvo. “The debates today are more practical; this structure will block my view or cast a shadow. You can’t say that about this building, it was a pyramid designed to let the light down to the street level. It didn’t block views, the only thing people could complain about was this idea of the Manhattanization of San Francisco.” Originally, Pereira’s design was meant for a new building for ABC in New York City. The network passed on the project, deeming the design too futuristic, and went with another architect’s vision. Today, the Transamerica Pyramid stands as an icon in San Francisco, with 80% of the space leased in a challenging office market. The building ABC picked instead? It’s since been demolished. 

Corporations make a lot of stuff they want to sell you, and invest a lot of money, effort, and time into convincing you to not only to buy a product, but to buy a specific version of it. While there’s nothing wrong with pointing out the advantages of one product over another, sometimes marketers use specifically vague or deceptive phrases in order to convince you to choose the one they're offering up.The problem with these phrases is that they exist in a kind of gray area—they’re not outright lies, but they’re also not particularly transparent. When you see one of these eight terms printed on a product’s label, it's a good reminder to engage in some critical thinking about what it's actually telling you.FDA-approvedSeeing the phrase “FDA Approved” on a medicine’s product label probably gives you a certain sense of confidence. After all, the Food and Drug Administration doesn’t just approve everything! Getting that FDA stamp of approval must mean it’s safe and high-quality, right?But that’s not actually what “FDA Approved” means at all. The phrase specifically means “the drug is determined to provide benefits that outweigh its known and potential risks for the intended population.” It has absolutely nothing to do with quality, and it doesn’t even mean it’s low-risk—just that the benefits outweigh the risks. That’s useful information, but in marketing, the phrase is used as an indicator that you’re getting a superior product that you can trust to be safe, when all it really means is that it works, and the downsides are (probably) worth it.Genuine leatherThe word “genuine” is doing a lot of work here. You probably think it must be some kind of industry term, with all kinds of meaningful grading and quality testing behind it. But in the words of Lifehacker editor Beth Skwarecki, “‘genuine leather’ just means it’s...leather." It literally just means the thing you’re holding in your hand is, in fact, made of leather. It says nothing about the quality of that leather—good or bad.PatentedIf you watch Shark Tank, you probably have a high opinion of the patent process, and assume that if a product is patented—and shouts that information everywhere in its advertising—it must be innovative and unique. You’d better buy this version, is the implication, because no one else can replicate its patented magic.Eh, not necessarily. Sure, some patents do, in fact, protect innovative ideas. But patents can be issued for a lot of reasons—sometimes minor technical improvements, or new ways of combining ingredients or components. The U.S. issues hundreds of thousands of patents every year, and not all of them are meaningful in the sense of describing amazing breakthroughs or even unique applications. But the term conveys a certain gravitas to a product’s other claims around effectiveness, utility, and value, so marketers use it any time they can.Maximum strengthThe “it goes to 11” of marketing copy. This phrase always looks convincing— it's usually written in all caps at the top of the label to let you know that the product is not messing around, and that it is the most product you can buy.The problem is, what does “maximum” mean? Maximum compared to what? If it means compared to the other versions of the product, that doesn’t necessarily mean competing brands won’t be stronger. If it refers to some sort of legal or physical limitation on how powerful a drug or other product can be, then that same restriction applies to competing products as well. It’s a relative term that doesn’t mean anything unless you put in some research to understand what the reference points actually are.All-naturalEvery now and then, someone falls for the classic “dihydrogen monoxide (DHMO)” prank, agreeing that a dangerous chemical like DHMO should be banned after hearing about all the potential hazards it causes, like death if accidentally inhaled. DHMO is, of course, water (H2O)—dangerous under the right conditions, but also necessary for life. The point being, many chemicals are all-natural, technically speaking, and there’s no clear guidance from the FDA on what the term means. Most products are processed to such a degree that it’s impossible to determine what “natural” even could mean, so labeling something as “all-natural” doesn’t mean much.Doctor-approvedWhen shopping for health-related products of any kind, it can be persuasive to see one is “doctor approved” in some way. You might think this means that a major medical association has come together to recommend that product, or at least conducted some sort of study and determined that this product did the job best. It probably doesn’t mean that, though. While it often means that at least one doctor tested or reviewed the product, that doctor may have been on the company payroll, and either way the phrase doesn’t mean a more formal or official approval process of any kind took place.Clinically provenSimilarly, the phrase “clinically proven” can be deceptive because the clinical studies being referenced are often paid for by the manufacturer itself. While that doesn’t necessarily mean these studies are fake, it does call into question how objective the study and its designers were, and whether any independent bodies corroborate its findings.Worse, sometimes the studies being cited for the “clinically proven” claim don’t actually prove that the product works. Sometimes fine print hidden somewhere on a label or website will clarify this, but not always. Even if a study was reasonably well-conducted and independently organized, you need more than one study to have confidence that an active ingredient or specific formulation of something actually works as advertised.RecyclableIf you’re worried about the future of the planet, you might be seeking out products that lower your carbon footprint. Seeing that a product’s packaging is recyclable makes you feel better about using it, because you know that when you toss it away you’re not adding to a landfill.Except, often, you are. Companies sometimes use materials in their packaging that are technically recyclable, but practically not recyclable. In other words, the specific plastic or other material can be recycled, but aspects of the packaging itself—shape, size, and the stuff it contains—mean that it will be separated out and tossed into a landfill regardless. And sometimes the specific material used isn’t recycled universally—for example, HDPE plastic can be recycled, but not all recycling facilities accept it.

Fan of motorsport or sim racing?Check out this ITX setup inside of an Alpine A110 GT4 Wheel 🤯 Fun fact: The V-shaped radiator arrangement pays homage to the V engines found in legendary race cars.Full Build Log and Specs: https://www.corsair.com/ww/en/explorer/builds/sponsored/alpine-a110-gt4-rim-custom-mod-build/

Neat weaponry A dangerous E. coli strain has emerged; a small mutation may explain its rise It's unclear what the mutation does, but it might make E. coli stealthy on lettuce. Beth Mole – May 14, 2025 5:22 pm | 22 Colored scanning electron micrograph of the rod-shaped, gram-negative bacteria E. coli Credit: Getty | STEVE GSCHMEISSNER/SCIENCE PHOTO LIBRARY Colored scanning electron micrograph of the rod-shaped, gram-negative bacteria E. coli Credit: Getty | STEVE GSCHMEISSNER/SCIENCE PHOTO LIBRARY Story text Size Small Standard Large Width * Standard Wide Links Standard Orange * Subscribers only   Learn more Since 2017, a particularly dangerous strain of E. coli O157:H7 has emerged across the country to spark outbreaks, severe disease, and deaths. It spreads in various ways: via leafy greens and contaminated beef, like its relatives, but also recreational waters. Hundreds of people across 46 states have been infected, and health officials have documented at least nine separate outbreaks. One in 2018, linked to lettuce, caused over 200 infections across 37 states, killing five people and causing a severe kidney condition in 26. Now, a sweeping genetic analysis by researchers at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention suggests a tiny mutation in one of the bacteria's molecular weapons may be behind the strain's rise. The finding, published recently in the journal Emerging Infectious Diseases, provides insights into this clinically significant plague and its rise to prominence. It also highlights the role of the bacteria's sophisticated military tactics. The mutated weapon is part of a complex system that E. coli and other harmful bacteria sometimes use called a Type 3 Secretion System (T3SS). This involves molecular machinery that basically functions like a syringe, complete with a long needle that is poked into the cells of its victims. The T3SS then directly injects a fleet of hostile proteins. Those proteins—called effectors—attack specific targets that collectively disable the host's defense responses and make the host more hospitable for its bacterial conqueror. The mutation the CDC researchers found was in one of these T3SS effectors, a protein called EspW. Previous research suggests that this effector is responsible for buttressing a host cell's structure during an invasion, keeping the cell from contracting while enabling the bacteria to become attached to it. A related protein in the plant pathogen Pseudomonas syringae, called HopW1, also disrupts normal cellular structure and processes that would otherwise restrict the ability of P. syringae to cause an infection. Small change The CDC researchers identified the EspW mutation by comparing the genetic sequences of 729 isolates of the new E. coli strain—dubbed REPEXH01—to genetic sequences of 2,027 other E. coli O157:H7 isolates. Of the 729 REPEXH01 strains, all but two had a single nucleotide deletion in EspW (the remaining two had ambiguous sequences), while the deletion was present in less than 4 percent of the non-REPEXH01 E. coli strains. The finding suggests the tiny change could be a genetic signature of the strain, and its persistence in a key disease protein may offer the strain an advantage. For now, it's unclear what that advantage might be. The deletion of a single DNA base (an adenine) shifts the frame of the three-sequence protein code for the rest of EspW. This could result in a shorter protein. It could also cause the molecular machinery that translates the genetic code to slip, leading to proteins of various lengths. In any case, the deletion is likely to result in a less fully functional EspW protein. The CDC researchers suggest this could help E. coli when it's on lettuce and other produce. For example, EspW might spur an immune response from an infected plant that causes stomata—pores on the surfaces of leaves—to close, blocking the bacteria's ability to invade. Thus, cutting back EspW may help E. coli sneak in—an adaptation in the ongoing arms race between the bacteria and its host. Another possibility is that EspW could function like HopW1, leading to more severe infection in plant tissues, which could lower the chances that those infected leaves are harvested and make it to grocery stores and atop burgers. Thus, cutting back on EspW could help E. coli move to its human victims. Ultimately, additional research will be needed to understand what's going on. As the CDC researchers conclude: "the role of the single base pair mutation in this strain’s colonization and survival on leafy vegetables could yield valuable insights." Beth Mole Senior Health Reporter Beth Mole Senior Health Reporter Beth is Ars Technica’s Senior Health Reporter. Beth has a Ph.D. in microbiology from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill and attended the Science Communication program at the University of California, Santa Cruz. She specializes in covering infectious diseases, public health, and microbes. 22 Comments

Molex, global manufacturer of electronic and fiber optic connectivity systems, is working with Czech FDM 3D printer manufacturer Prusa Research to support the integration of connector technologies into 3D printing systems. Key components in this collaboration include Molex’s CLIK-Mate wire-to-board connectors, Micro-Fit power connectors, and ultra-microcoaxial RF connectors.  With support from American multinational electronics components distributor Arrow Electronics, these systems are designed to streamline assembly processes and simplify upgrades and new product introductions. “Prusa Research needed connectivity systems with the right balance of functionality and simplicity without compromising quality,” said Brian Hauge, SVP and president, Consumer and Commercial Solutions, Molex. “With support from Arrow Electronics, we provide a full portfolio of connectors that are robust yet easy to use. Molex also stays in lockstep with Arrow and Prusa engineers to align emerging printer designs with new innovative connector solutions to ease new product introductions and upgrades.” The Original Prusa MK4 printing a component. Photo via Prusa Research. Prusa: Scaling Operations to Meet Global Demand In 2024, Prusa Research processed over 300,000 orders for printers, filaments, resins, and accessories. To further strengthen its global presence, the company also established a U.S. subsidiary, Printed Solid, in Newark, Delaware, focused on producing printers and filaments within the United States. As part of its ongoing expansion, Prusa Research incorporated Molex connector systems into its manufacturing process. The CLIK-Mate connectors were selected for their low insertion force, secure terminal design, and audible engagement feature, ensuring precise installation. Prusa highlighted that CLIK-Mate connectors not only ensure DIY users avoid incorrect connections, but also assist engineers in enhancing production efficiency by accelerating the surface mount technology (SMT) assembly process. By early 2025, Prusa is utilizing up to 16 variations of CLIK-Mate connectors across its printer lineup, including the newly launched CORE One model. “In 2024, Prusa grew 25% year over year, and we are excited for this year, which will be even bigger,” said Josef Prusa, CEO of Prusa Research. “We populated over one million parts using Molex CLIK-Mate connectors last year, and they’ve all delivered excellent performance. With over 20 printer models using Molex connectors, we’re continuing our collaboration with Arrow and Molex to expand further across Europe and scale our U.S. operations.” Additional Molex systems used by Prusa include Micro-Fit Connectors for combining signal and power in constrained spaces, and ultra-microcoaxial RF connectors for Bluetooth and Wi-Fi connections. The company is also evaluating Molex’s Easy-On FFC/FPC connectors and other customized connectivity solutions for potential implementation in future models. Prusa Research’s Expanding Lineup Prusa Research continues to evolve its 3D printer portfolio to meet the needs of both professional and advanced desktop users.  One of Prusa’s latest innovations is the Prusa XL, featuring a CoreXY configuration and a 360 mm³ print volume. This model stands out with its tool changer that includes five independent toolheads, reducing waste compared to single-nozzle alternatives and offering increased versatility. While the Prusa XL may not be the fastest desktop FFF 3D printer, with a maximum 3D print speed of 400 mm/s, its ability to seamlessly switch between toolheads for different nozzle sizes and filament types enhances productivity, especially for multi-material parts. The fully assembled version of the Prusa XL is priced at €2,599, while the semi-assembled model is available for €2,099 on the official Prusa website. Additionally, Prusa’s professional-grade offerings include the Prusa Pro HT90, a delta-kinematics 3D printer designed for high-speed, high-temperature FDM printing. The Prusa Pro HT90 delivers impressive performance with travel speeds of up to 600 mm/s, 3D print speeds of 250 mm/s, and acceleration rates of 20,000 mm/s². The system features lightweight, quick-swap printheads, with a direct-drive extruder to enhance production efficiency. Its High-Temp printhead can reach temperatures up to 500°C, suitable for challenging materials, while the High-Flow head operates best at 300°C, enabling the printer to deposit 1 kg of PETG or ABS in just 8 hours. The Prusa Pro HT90 is available starting at €11,490. Take the 3DPIReader Survey — shape the future of AM reporting in under 5 minutes. Who won the 2024 3D Printing Industry Awards? Subscribe to the3D Printing Industry newsletter to keep up with the latest 3D printing news. You can also follow us on LinkedIn, and subscribe to the 3D Printing Industry Youtube channel to access more exclusive content. Featured image shows the new Prusa Core One. Photo via Prusa Research.

The world of work is being dominated by the transformative power of artificial intelligence. We see it reshaping processes, driving efficiencies, and promising new levels of productivity across every business. And while AI’s technical capabilities are undeniable, we must also recognize the enduring—and even amplified—importance of uniquely human skills, particularly our ability to connect with one another. In this age of algorithms, fostering genuine human connection is not a soft skill; it’s becoming a core driver of innovation and progress.  More than ever, employees want stronger relationships, a sense of connection, and to be seen and valued. In fact, according to McKinsey & Company research, the top reasons for quitting, as cited by former employees, were that they didn’t feel valued by their organizations (54%) or their managers (52%), or didn’t feel a sense of belonging at work (51%).  Moreover, extensive research has found that workplace loneliness is associated with lower job performance, reduced job satisfaction, poorer employee-boss relationships, and higher burnout.  It’s vital for organizations to understand how human connection can benefit their businesses.  AI and the human element  The promise of AI is vast, analyzing data in seconds and automating complex tasks. Yet, this very power presents a potential paradox. If we are not intentional, AI risks creating intellectual silos, limiting our exposure to diverse viewpoints, and stifling innovation. The human capacity to connect, to truly understand and appreciate different ways of thinking stemming from various life experiences and backgrounds, is essential to spark innovation and tackle shared problems.  The capacity and desire for connection is already causing a shift in AI usage. According to Harvard Business Review findings, the top usage of GenAI right now is for “therapy/companionship,” whereas just last year, it was for “generating ideas.”  The power of understanding: Insights on connection  Insightful research about connection is being done by academic researchers and nonprofit organizations like More in Common, a Workday Foundation grantee. Their two-year study, The Connection Opportunity, underscores a fundamental human truth: We are wired for connection. They found that 66% of Americans across all demographic groups feel they can learn something valuable from others who are different—and 70% of those surveyed also feel that responsibility. In a separate poll, they found that 82% of Americans either somewhat or strongly agree that “our success as a nation depends on our ability to work across differences” and a majority express an interest in better understanding one another.  When we are working toward a shared goal, there are core values and shared aspirations that bind us. By actively seeking out this common ground and fostering positive interactions, we can all bridge divides, both in our personal lives and within our organizations.   Feeling connection is not just good for our own wellbeing, it is also crucial for business outcomes. According to research, 94% of employees say that feeling connected to their colleagues makes them more productive at work, and over four times as likely to feel job satisfaction and half as likely to leave their jobs within the next year.   More in Common has identified key “connectors”—shared values and experiences that have the power to bring seemingly disparate groups together. These can range from a shared commitment to community well-being to ensuring participants feel confident they would have something in common with one another—like shared identities or interests.  This emphasis on shared values and the active pursuit of connection resonates deeply with the principles we strive for at Workday and underscores why supporting nonprofit organizations and funder collaboratives like More in Common, the U.S. Chamber of Connection, One America, New Pluralists, and many more, is so vital for business and society to thrive.  The elevated human: Skills for an AI-driven era  Workday’s recent global study, Elevating Human Potential: The AI Skills Revolution, delves into the evolving impact of AI on the workplace. Strikingly, our research found that while AI will undoubtedly transform how we work, it is simultaneously elevating the importance of uniquely human skills, like empathy, ethical decision making, conflict resolution, and relationship building.   Our findings also confirm that employees are feeling a need for increased human connection as AI adoption grows, with 82% employees recognizing a greater demand for it.  Lead with connection  These studies all underscore a vital leadership imperative. As we integrate AI deeper into our workflows, we should be deliberate in cultivating environments that prioritize genuine human connection and the development of these essential human skills.   This means creating intentional spaces—both physical and virtual—that encourage open dialogue, active listening, and the respectful exchange of diverse perspectives. Leaders should champion empathy and relationship-building skill development within their teams, actively working to promote thoughtful opportunities for human connection in our AI-driven environment.  Ultimately, the future of innovation and progress will be shaped by our ability to harness the power of AI in a way that amplifies our uniquely human capacities, especially our innate drive to connect with one another. By prioritizing human connection and cultivating these essential skills, we can ensure that AI empowers a more collaborative, innovative, and ultimately, more human-centered future of work.  Carrie Varoquiers is the chief philanthropy officer at Workday.  

After reviewing almost 500 projects, we’re excited to share the winners of the 2023 Unity for Humanity Grant. All of the social impact creators receiving funding this year are using real-time 3D to drive change in truly innovative ways.Projects were judged based on vision, impact, inclusion, and viability. Winners will receive a bespoke grant from a pool of $500,000 USD, plus mentorship and technical support to help bring their projects to life. If you have a project you’d like to submit in the future, sign up to the Social Impact mailing list for updates about when next year’s grant will open.What’s the project?X-Ray Fashion is a VR documentary by Denmark-based XR studio MANND that uses immersive storytelling to educate audiences about issues within the fashion industry. The project combines virtual reality with corresponding physical elements (for example, when walking through water in the documentary, you walk through shallow water in the real world) to create a truly sensory experience that takes viewers through the various stages of a typical garment’s production process, from the sweat shop all the way to the catwalk.What’s the purpose?The fashion industry is the second-largest polluter in the world. It accounts for 10% of all global carbon emissions, and a huge 60% of textiles are thrown away within one year of being made. On top of that, a single pair of denim jeans requires 10,000 liters of water to make.The creators of X-Ray Fashion recognize that our habit of constantly changing our wardrobes and disposing of clothes we no longer like is having a big impact. Their goal is to use this immersive experience to change consumer behavior by helping viewers understand the impact that their wardrobes have on the environment and people working in the industry. Ultimately, the project encourages lifestyle changes such as buying second-hand garments, taking better care of what we already own, and minimizing our overall fashion consumption.What’s the project?Trying to put how you’re feeling into words when experiencing complex emotions and mental health issues can often be difficult. Sarah Ticho encountered this challenge when trying to describe her grief and mental state to a doctor during a time when she needed help. The experience led her to collaborate with experience designer Niki Smit to develop SoulPaint, a VR project in which participants create artwork on an avatar that expresses their inner world using color, shapes, movement, and imagery.What’s the purpose?According to Harvard Medical School, miscommunication is at the heart of most medical errors. SoulPaint is a unique experience that aims to transform the way we communicate our emotions with others, remove the stigma around mental health, and trigger impactful conversations by creating a shared exhibition experience in public spaces worldwide. It will also ultimately provide a tool that allows patients to improve communication with health care professionals.What’s the project?Quantum’s Pursuit is a game by Limbitless Solutions that lets children with bionic limbs play the limb-different grandchildren of Dr. Quantum, a tech genius and wizard who has developed renewable energy. Dr. Quantum has been kidnapped by evil Galacdorks trying to steal his invention, and it’s the player’s goal to journey through the levels, defeat the boss, and save Dr. Quantum.The game allows hospitals to teach children how to use their new bionic limbs in a fun, engaging, and stress-free way, while also gaining insight into the needs of each child based on their muscle strength – information that is usually difficult to ascertain.What’s the purpose?Limbitless Solutions provides free bionic arms, training, and even covers travel costs for patients and their families. This incredible project can vastly improve the quality of life of children with limb differences and ease the transition to a bionic limb during an otherwise difficult time.What’s the project?Using VR, Follow the Investigation: Inside the ICC shows International Criminal Court (ICC) cases at various stages of the judicial process. The experience provides valuable insight into how the ICC system works to bring those responsible for crimes against humanity – including war crimes and genocide – to justice.Viewers witness testimonies from survivors of past ICC cases, visit field investigation sites, process evidence in ICC forensic labs, and sit in on courtroom proceedings drawn from a variety of infamous global cases.What’s the purpose?This project serves as a somber reminder of and education about the work of the ICC and the process of seeking justice, helping to raise awareness of atrocities and the experiences of survivors to ensure continued global support for their recovery and the work of the ICC. The project also offers an impactful way for victims of horrific crimes to better understand the legal processes that relate to their own cases.What’s the project?In World Reborn, the world’s first activism adventure game, your goal is to save the world after a cataclysmic event fractures it into multiple realities. The mobile game uses AR to combine actions in the real world with choices in the virtual world, encouraging players to make a difference in both. Real-world actions that help you progress through the game include donating money, picking up trash, completing breathing exercises, and more.What’s the purpose?90% of the 72 million teenagers in the U.S. play video games. Having grown up with an awareness of pressing global issues – including climate change, mental health, and racial injustice – they want to make a difference, but often feel powerless to do so. The founders of Wicked Saints, creators of World Reborn, worked for the world’s largest peacebuilding organization and trained young movement leaders all over the world. They saw how many lives were transformed using an approach called Common Ground Activism – attacking the problem, not the person. Now, they’re building World Reborn to empower young people with CGA skills and drive change through incremental steps in the real world. Join their Discord community to get special access and be part of building the game.What’s the project?“What would the children of the future think about the mistakes of our past?” is the question that Team Gramps sought to answer with A Week at Belisamas Lake. This narrative-based mobile fishing game follows young Lotus and their grandmother Pearl as they recover 21st-century trash from a local lake in a future where humanity has overcome the climate crisis – and profoundly changed in the process. Using gyroscopic controls, you fish for items, inspect them, and listen as Pearl sheds light on relics of the past.What’s the purpose?Through a wholesome, optimistic narrative, A Week at Belisamas Lake shines a light on the possibility of a future society in a post-climate change world. Weaving together intergenerational relationships and items of the present day, the story examines just how drastically things might change if we don’t take action now, and how meaningful climate action will ultimately change us.Trigger warning: griefWhat’s the project?Drawing on the 17-year life cycle and symbolism of the Brood X cicadas, this virtual reality experience follows a mother’s journey to find meaning after the loss of her son. Using personal audio files, music, and images, the player is taken on a journey through the mother’s narrative, interacting with the experiences of passing time and grief.What’s the purpose?Year of the Cicadas is a mother’s reflection on the power of finding meaning in the most tragic of stories, and how that meaning transforms over time. The goal of this experience is to provide a window into the life-long journey of meaning-making after child loss for those who may know or work with bereaved parents and family members.Trigger warning: sexual assault, child abuseWhat’s the project?This mobile game is designed for parents who suspect their child may be the victim of sexual abuse or who want to talk to their children about topics like consent. Patito uses minigames to show a young character realizing he is a victim, providing a sensitive approach to educating children and parents on these difficult topics.What’s the purpose?According to the Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD), over 4.5 million children are victims of sexual abuse every year in Mexico. Pink Bear Games have created Patito to raise awareness of this issue and help give parents an effective way to communicate about sexual abuse and consent with their children. Their goal is to provide the app for free in an effort to help prevent future cases.Congratulations to all of this year’s winners – we can’t wait to share more of their projects with you. If you’re a social impact creator, join the Unity for Humanity Community Discord to meet like-minded creators.

ZDNET's key takeaways The Ultrahuman Ring Air is the brand's first foray into the smart ring space, and it's available for $349 (though it's currently $50 off at QVC), no subscription required The ring is great for hardcore fitness enthusiasts and recreational exercisers looking to use their health data to optimize their wellness routines The app's user interface could be improved for easier access to daily logging functions. View now at QVC The Ultrahuman Ring Air is a competitive smart ring that tracks your sleep and fitness. Right now, you can take an additional $50 off the smart ring when you buy it at QVC.Also: Two popular smart rings just got caught copying OuraAs one of the hottest smart rings on the market, the Ultrahuman Ring Air offers features and data collection that goes a step beyond Oura for individuals looking to optimize their health. I tested one alongside the Oura Horizon ring for a month, wearing both around the clock and logging everything from my morning coffee to my late-night cocktails. Suffice it to say, the Ultrahuman ring will excite people dialed into their health and fitness.Also: Oura Ring 3 vs Oura Ring 4: Should you buy the discounted smart ring still on sale or the brand's newest?While Oura seemingly appeals to just about anyone looking to invest in a smart ring, Ultrahuman's offering, while more niche, is arguably better. If the Oura Ring is the girl next door, the Ultrahuman Ring Air is the Silicon Valley-based, Bitcoin-mining neighbor who drinks Soylent. But while it will set hardcore fitness enthusiasts on the right path, this ring will also help anyone, even recreational exercisers, optimize their body to a tee. details View at QVC Unlike the Oura Ring, which requires a $6 monthly subscription, the Ultrahuman Ring Air is subscription-free. The Ultrahuman comes in matte gray, matte black, silver, and gold. Out of all the smart rings I have tested, it is by far the thinnest, most discreet, and unassuming. Plus, the matte gray finish hasn't scratched or tarnished after a month of use, something I can't say about the other smart rings with shiny metal finishes.From the moment you wake up to the minute you fall asleep, Ultrahuman is sending you notifications on how to make the most of your available energy and body clock. With all these scientific insights into my body, I couldn't help but feel like I was hacking my health -- or playing God. Within an hour of waking, Ultrahuman pings me about my "residual adenosine levels." My what? I had to look it up as well. Adenosine is a naturally occurring chemical associated with wakefulness. It tells me to delay consuming stimulants like caffeine until around two hours after I've been awake to flush adenosine out of my system and boost the impact of caffeine on my energy levels. It also reminds me to expose myself to bright light or exercise during this window if I want an earlier bedtime and wake-up time.Throughout the day, I get pings like this. Ultrahuman tells me when my stimulant permissible window, the window where I can consume caffeine without it disrupting my sleep, is coming to a close. Not only that: Ultrahuman also tells me how much caffeine is in certain stimulants, how long they will stay in my system, and whether they exceed the caffeine intake of my window.As the day goes on, Ultrahuman pings me to stretch my legs and when the ideal bedtime for a sufficient night of sleep would be. All this is calculated based on my wake-up times, sleep, and recovery data. Also: The best smart rings of 2025: Expert tested and reviewedThe Ultrahuman Ring Air measures heart rate, skin temperature, heart rate variability (HRV), and resting heart rate to glean data for sleep, recovery, and movement. It also measures VO2 Max, or how the body utilizes oxygen during workouts. Ultrahuman presents all this data in an easy-to-understand format through an app, with scores (and explanations) for the big three: sleep, movement, and recovery. For example, when I got a 95 sleep score, it told me I fell asleep faster and stayed asleep for most of my rest duration. In tandem with my high sleep score, I got a 90 recovery score, and the blurb told me that my scores were in great shape, so I "might want to push a little more towards your cognitive and physical fitness goals." On a day when my sleep score was 49 and my recovery score 64, the app instructed me to go on a long walk and try a "non-sleep deep rest session" during the day. Nina Raemont/ZDNETOther health data, like HRV, VO2 Max, and resting heart rate, are tracked and the day-by-day data is aggregated and shown through graphs with daily, weekly, and monthly trends -- depicted with green and red indicators.  All these data points come with explanations of what each indicator means about one's overall health, elucidating the complexity of them.Another health feature the Ultrahuman ring offers is food logging, which leverages ChatGPT-powered AI food insights. I log the food I eat throughout the day, and its Food Optimization AI provides what it calls cyborg insights -- no, really -- about how to avoid glucose spikes when I consume certain foods. When I logged a bag of potato chips, it told me to pair the chips with cheese or other protein, like a hard-boiled egg, to slow down the absorption of glucose. It also told me to drink water before and after eating the chips and take a brisk walk after eating them to lower my glycemic response. While I rarely took this advice, this is a helpful feature for fitness and people who want to optimize their diet and health data.Also: The Oura smart ring's brilliant new features outshine even its titanium finishOf course, you also can log workouts, something I did often while training for my half marathon. The ring doesn't automatically detect that you're exercising, however, if it goes unlogged. I hope Ultrahuman improves this in future updates. I liked that I could see the map of where I ran, my average heart rate, my max heart rate, the calories I burned, and my average pace. Plus, it showed my workout zones, too, something essential for tracking long runs.The last feature that makes this ring ideal for exercise junkies is the Discover tab, which offers video classes for everything from Pilates and weight training to HIIT and yoga. There are also podcasts available for meditation and soundscapes for falling asleep.  Nina Raemont/ZDNETYou can wear the ring for about five days before the battery dies. I tested its battery life compared to Oura's by charging both to 100% on a Tuesday afternoon and waiting to see how long each would last through regular wear and activity. By Sunday morning, the Oura ring was at 7%, and the Ultrahuman Ring Air was at 6%. I will note, however, that the Ultrahuman ring gets hot to the touch after charging.In the next update of the Ultrahuman Ring Air, I'd like to see the app's user interface improve. It could take some notes from Oura's app, which offers sleep, readiness, resilience, and activity on top of a home tab that aggregates this data on the bottom. Ultrahuman's bottom tabs include home, metabolism, zones, Discover, and a bare-bones profile section. I'd also like to see a more accessible logging feature wherein you don't have to scroll all the way down the app to use for food, exercise tracking, weight, and more.ZDNET's buying adviceWho should buy this ring? I can imagine that anybody who's dialed into fitness and health metrics will get full use of the Ultrahuman Ring Air. And given how often my sleep duration and sleep and recovery scores from the Ultrahuman mimicked that of Oura's, I wouldn't be afraid to call this a subscription-free Oura dupe with rivaling data and battery life.   Ultimately, the Ultrahuman Ring Air impressed me. It's exciting to see such a new product step up to be a competitive fitness smart ring, being just niche enough to carve out an audience of devout fitness freaks but with data presentation, health metrics, and AI suggestions that could cater to the average Joe just as well.When will this deal expire? This deal will expire on May 19. The deal runs for four days. We're sorry if you've missed out on this deal, but don't fret -- we're constantly finding new chances to save and sharing them with you at ZDNET.comFeatured reviews

Forget everything you know about mini cutting tools – those are the words the folks behind CUTTIX lead with. To be frank, when I saw the CUTTIX for the first time, it hit me in waves. The compact knife is about the size of half your thumb, machined from titanium, comes with a retractable knife-steel blade, and what I can only describe as two-factor deployment. It looks nothing like the folding knives I’ve spoken about all these years, but performs just as effectively… and it’s tiny enough to fit around your keychain, occupying less space than most keys. The folding knife format is yesterday’s news, if you ask me. It’s a little too done and dusted at this point, which is why the CUTTIX grabbed my eye the moment I saw it. You don’t deploy the CUTTIX the way you would a regular folding knife. You deploy it sort of like a switchblade, but a whole lot tinier. A slider lets you eject the CUTTIX’s scalpel-shaped blade, which can cut through everything, from paper to paracord. I’d recommend just owning one, stringing it on your keychain, and forgetting about it – because that’s really where the CUTTIX shines – in being on you at all times and coming handy exactly when you wished you really had a knife within reach. Designer: Apekss Click Here to Buy Now: $59 $69 (15% off). Hurry, only a few left! Housed within a cylindrical body, almost like a metallic miniature lip-gloss, is the CUTTIX blade. The outer body, including the slider knob, is entirely machined from titanium, making it practically indestructible, waterproof, and corrosion-resistant. The shape is fairly satisfying, and treads the line between compactness and ergonomics. You can grip the entire knife squarely between your thumb and index finger, using it to cut through everything from Amazon boxes to even potentially a seatbelt in an emergency. Grooves machined onto the sides enhance your grip, giving you the dexterity you’d require with a knife that measures only 45mm (1.77″) long when closed! The way the CUTTIX is deployed is fairly remarkable. It has a dual-stage or ‘two-factor’ system to prevent it from accidentally getting deployed when in your pocket or when not in use. On the end of the CUTTIX’s body is a rotating dial that locks or unlocks the sliding knob. Click the dial into the ‘open’ position, and the push the knob on the CUTTIX’s body downwards before sliding it forward to reveal the tiny yet powerful 20mm (0.7″) blade. The blade, fashioned from durable cobalt-enriched N690 steel, handles everything from culinary to craft, and from hobbyist to tactical outdoor use. The scalpel profile makes it perfect for piercing, slashing, scoring, whittling, slicing, the works. The blade isn’t replaceable, the way most scalpel blades are, but the durable steel construction is designed to hold its edge well, even against hard materials like wood. All this sits in a form factor tinier than your pinky finger and weighing a paltry 16 grams or 0.5 ounces (around 3 nickel coins, if you’re really counting). A hole on the back of the CUTTIX lets you string a keyring or paracord through it, making it perfect for EDC you can carry with you everywhere. The idea is to forget it’s even on you, except when you absolutely need it – that’s when the CUTTIX makes its mark… literally. Click Here to Buy Now: $59 $69 (15% off). Hurry, only a few left!The post This 16g Titanium Blade Might Be the Most Compact, Versatile EDC Tool Ever Made first appeared on Yanko Design.

In the world of entity resolution (ER), one of the central challenges is managing and maintaining the complex relationships between records. At its core, Tilores models entities as graphs: each node represents a record, and edges represent rule-based matches between those records. This approach gives us flexibility, traceability, and a high level of accuracy, but it also comes with significant storage and computational challenges, especially at scale. This article explains the details about efficiently storing highly connected graphs using clique-based graph Compression. The Entity Graph Model In Tilores, a valid entity is a graph where every record is connected to at least one other via a matching rule. For instance, if record a matches record b according to rule R1, we store that as an edge "a:b:R1". If another rule, say R2, also connects a and b, we store an additional edge "a:b:R2". These edges are kept as a simple list, but could alternatively be modeled using an adjacency list structure for more efficient storage. Why Retain All Edges? Most Entity Resolution systems or master data management systems don’t retain the relationships between records, but only store a representation of the underlying data and typically a generic matching score, leaving the user uncertain about how the entity was formed. Even worse, the user has no way to correct errors made by the automatic matching system. Hence, retaining all edges in an entity graph serves multiple purposes: Traceability: Allows the user to understand why two records were grouped into the same entity. Analytics: Insights such as rule effectiveness and data similarity can be extracted from edge metadata. Data Deletion & Recalculation: When a record is deleted or a rule is modified, the graph must be recalculated. Edge information is essential to understand how an entity was formed and how it should be updated. The Scaling Problem: Quadratic Growth When discussing potential scaling issues in entity resolution, this typically refers to the challenge of matching each record with all other records. While this is a challenge on its own, retaining all edges of an entity results in similar issues on the storage side. Entities where many records are connected with each other create a multitude of edges. In the worst case every new record is connected to all existing records. This quadratic growth can be expressed with the formula: n * (n - 1) / 2 For small entities, this is not an issue. For example, an entity with 3 records can have a maximum of 3 edges. For n = 100, this increases to 4,950 edges and for n = 1,000 this results in up to 499,500 edges. This creates an immense storage and computational overhead, especially since entity resolution graphs often exhibit this kind of dense connectivity. Solution: Clique-Based Graph Compression (CBGC) A clique in a graph is a group of nodes where every node is connected to every other node in that group. A clique can also be called a complete subgraph. The smallest possible clique contains a single node and no edges. A pair of nodes connected by an edge also forms a clique. And three nodes, such as the one below, form a triangle shaped clique. A Simple Clique: Triangle(image by the author) A maximal clique is a clique that cannot be extended by adding any adjacent node, and a maximum clique is the clique with the largest number of nodes in the whole graph. For the purpose of this article, we’re going to use the term clique only to refer to cliques with at least three nodes. The previously shown triangle could be represented in Tilores by the following edges: [ "a:b:R1", "a:c:R1", "b:c:R1" ] Because a triangle is a clique, we could also represent the graph by storing only the nodes in this clique and the associated rule ID: { "R1": [ ["a", "b", "c"] ] } Let’s consider the following slightly more complicated graph: Complete Subgraph with 6 Nodes(image by the author) Based on its appearance, we can easily spot that all nodes are connected to each other. So instead of listing all 15 edges [remember n*(n-1)/2], we can simply store this clique in the following form: { "R1":[ ["a", "b", "c", "d", "e", "f"] ] } However, in a realistic graph, not all records are connected to each other. Consider the following graph: A Complex Graph with Three Highlighted Cliques(image by the author) There are three larger cliques highlighted: yellow, red and blue (teal if you’re picky). There is also a single remaining node. While those are probably the largest cliques, you might spot dozens of others. For example, do you notice the 4-node clique between the two red and two yellow nodes? Sticking with the colored cliques, we could store them in the following way (using y, r and b for yellow, red and blue): { "R1": [ ["y1", "y2", "y3"], ["r1", "r2", "r3", "r4", "r5"], ["b1", "b2", "b3", "b4", "b5", "b6"] ] } Additionally, we can store the remaining 10 edges (p for purple): [ "y1:r1:R1", "y1:r2:R1", "y2:r1:R1", "y2:r2:R1", "r4:p1:R1", "r5:p1:R1", "r5:b1:R1", "b2:p1:R1", "y3:b5:R1", "y3:b6:R1" ] This means that the whole graph can now be represented with only three cliques and ten edges, instead of the original 38 edges. Compressed Graph(image by the author) This clique-based graph compression (CBGC) is loss-free (unless you need edge properties). In a realistic dataset, we identified massive storage savings. For one customer, CBGC reduced edge storage by 99.7%, replacing hundreds of thousands of edges with just a few hundred cliques and sparse edges. Performance Benefits Beyond Storage CBGC is not just about compression. It also enables faster operations, particularly when handling record and edge deletion. Any sane entity resolution engine should split an entity into multiple ones if the only link between two subgraphs was deleted, for example, due to regulatory or compliance reasons. Identifying separate, unconnected subgraphs is typically done using a connected components algorithm. In short, it works by grouping all nodes that are connected via edges into separate subgraphs. As a result each edge needs to be checked at least once. However, if a graph is stored as a compressed graph, then there is no need to traverse all edges of a clique. Instead it is sufficient to add a limited number of edges for each clique, for example a transitive path between the nodes of a clique, treating each clique as a pre-connected subgraph. Trade-Offs: Clique Detection Complexity There is a trade-off: clique detection is computationally expensive, particularly when attempting to find the maximum cliques, a well-known NP-hard problem. In practice it is often sufficient to simplify this workload. Approximate algorithms for clique detection (e.g. greedy heuristics) perform well enough for most uses. Additionally, CBGC is recalculated selectively, usually when an entity’s edge count surpasses a threshold. This hybrid approach balances compression efficiency with acceptable processing cost. Beyond Cliques Arguably, the most common pattern in entity resolution is the complete subgraph. However, further optimization could be achieved by identifying other recurring patterns such as stars: store as a list of nodes where the first entry represents the central node paths: store as an ordered list of nodes communities: store like a clique and mark the missing edges Closing Thoughts Entity resolution systems often face the challenge of managing dense, highly interconnected graphs. Storing all edges naively quickly becomes unsustainable. CBGC provides an efficient way to model entities by exploiting structural properties of the data. Not only does it reduce storage overhead, but it also improves system performance, especially during data deletion and reprocessing. While clique detection has its computational costs, careful engineering choices allow us to reap the benefits without sacrificing scalability. The post Efficient Graph Storage for Entity Resolution Using Clique-Based Compression appeared first on Towards Data Science.